Anti-snoring device having an adjusting external oral shield

ABSTRACT

An anti-snoring device including a moldable dental overlay for covering the lower teeth of the user and for maintaining the tongue in contact with the palate to prevent air flow from causing the palate to reverberate during mouth breathing; an extension member fixedly connected to the front of said dental overlay; a moldable oral shield worn outside the mouth and being conformable to the user&#39;s upper lip for preventing the lower jaw from drifting inferiorly and posteriorly during sleep; and a connecting member being slidably connected to the oral shield, and having an opening for slidably receiving said extension member. The anti-snoring device may be made of thermoplastic or elastomeric resin materials for moldability to the user&#39;s mouth.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.08/609,617, filed on Mar. 1, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,720,302.

This invention relates to an anti-snoring device, and more particularly,to an anti-snoring device having an adjustable external oral shieldwhich reduces air turbulence and promotes nasal breathing while sleepingto prevent the act of snoring.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Snoring or sleep apnea is caused by the condition where the tonguerelaxes and contributes to blocking of the air passageway in the pharynxor lingual compartment. Further, the loose tissue within the mouthcavity including the tongue, the pharyngeal folds, the soft palate, themuscularis uvulae and the palate-pharyngeal arch tend to vibrate astidal air flows past during sleep which also causes snoring.

Anti-snoring devices are effective when they protract (pull or hold) themandible (lower jaw) forward and upward and elevate the tongue, so thatthe tongue does not occlude the air passageway drifting inferiorly andposteriorly while sleeping. Most anti-snoring devices accomplish thisaforementioned task by holding the lower jaw forward against a rigiddental component which is fixed to the upper teeth or to the upper andlower teeth. These anti-snoring devices fix the dental component fromfalling out of the mouth by clasping or biting of the user's teeth intothe dental component and by close adaptation to the user's teeth. Theprimary disadvantages in using the above prior art devices, is that theyrequire professional lab services for fitting of the anti-snoring deviceto the user's mouth. Such devices could cause irreversible changes inthe bite of the user or permanently alter the jaw position of the userunless the anti-snoring device fitting is closely supervised by adentist.

There is a need for an anti-snoring device that does not rigidly bind tothe dental structures of the user's mouth and does not requireprofessional supervision or assistance in its fabrication. In addition,the anti-snoring device should not pit the lower jaw against the upperjaw and should not alter the bite of the user. Further, an external oralshield should be used to hold the lower jaw from drifting inferiorly andposteriorly during sleep. The oral shield should be adjustable by theuser, such that the device can be adjusted to fit various jaw sizes andbite relationships. Also, the device should include an intra oral dentaloverlay to support the tongue against the palate and keep the palate ofthe user's mouth from reverberating during mouth breathing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Anti-snoring devices of various designs, appearances, styles andmaterials of construction have been disclosed in the prior art. Forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 2,178,128 to Waite discloses an anti-snoringdevice having a shield worn inside the mouth. This device does not havea contacting dental overlay. U.S. Pat. No. 4,169,473 to Samelsondiscloses an anti-snoring device having an oral shield, upper and lowerdental overlays, and a tongue-receiving socket. This device isstructurally and functionally different from the present invention.

The prior art patents do not teach or disclose the structure of thepresent invention of an anti-snoring device having an external,adjustable oral shield being worn outside the upper lip of the mouth,and which is removably connected by a connecting member and adjustablewith regard to vertical height. In addition, the prior art does notdisclose an oral shield that is slidably adjusted relative to the dentaloverlay along the length of the anterior handle.

Accordingly, the primary object of the present invention is to providean anti-snoring device having an adjustable oral shield and a dentaloverlay connected by an anterior handle or extension member to reduce oreliminate nocturnal snoring.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an anti-snoringdevice that is easily self-adaptable and which eliminates the need forprofessional and laboratory assistance or clinical fabrication.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an anti-snoringdevice that is fabricated from a thermoplastic material (elastomericresin) which is moldable in shape to the user's lower jaw and perioralstructure.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an anti-snoringdevice which is moldable after immersion in boiling water so that it canbe adapted by the user to have a comfortable and individualized fit.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an anti-snoringdevice that has an adjustable external oral shield structure whichreduces air turbulence within the user's mouth and thus promotes nasalbreathing to prevent the act of snoring.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an anti-snoringdevice that has an adjustable external oral shield structure which actsas an upper lip seal, such that the user is more apt to breath throughthe nose instead of the mouth to prevent the act of snoring.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an anti-snoringdevice that has an adjustable external oral shield which is reduced insize so that the anti-snoring device is more comfortable, less bulky,more aesthetic looking and is more acceptable for use by a patient.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an anti-snoringdevice that has an adjustable external oral shield which only contactsthe tissue below the nose and the inferior border of the upper lip, suchthat the reduced size adjustable external oral shield still functions inpreventing the lower jaw from moving inferiorly and posteriorly whilethe user is in the supine (sleeping) position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an anti-snoringdevice that has an adjustable external oral shield consisting of twodifferent copolymer resin layers that have dissimilar melting pointssuch that the softening and molding of the layered oral shield inboiling water does not distort the extension member and connectingmember nor impair the adjustability of the oral shield relative to theconnecting member.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an anti-snoringdevice that has an extension member, a connecting member, and a backinglayer for the oral shield which will maintain their shapes anddimensions after submersion in boiling water and concurrently allow theelastomeric layer of the oral shield to be softened and molded to theuser's external subnasal and lip tissue.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an anti-snoringdevice that has an adjustable external oral shield that can be shaped tothe user's external subnasal and lip tissue by manual manipulation ofthe oral shield without the immersion of the anti-snoring device intoboiling water.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an anti-snoringdevice that has an adjustable external oral shield consisting of twolayers, where the outer backing layer is made from a bendable metal orplastic; and the inner surface layer is made from an elastomericmaterial or a thermolabile copolymer resin. This construction allows theoral shield to be adapted to the upper lip contour of the user bybending and contouring with finger pressure instead of softening of theoral shield by the water boiling method.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an anti-snoringdevice that has an intra oral dental overlay structure which supportsthe tongue against the user's palate to keep the palate fromreverberating during mouth breathing to prevent snoring by the user.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an anti-snoringdevice that includes an external oral shield in combination with anintraoral dental overlay connected by an anterior handle, such that theoral shield can be slidably adjusted on the handle by the user and whichreduces the velocity of air flow through the mouth to reduce thereverberation of the palate to prevent the act of snoring. However,another method of adjusting the oral shield upon the extension membercould employ reciprocal screws, a jack screw or other screw mechanisms.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an anti-snoringdevice which can be easily used, mass produced in an automated andeconomical manner, and is readily affordable by the user.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide anadjustability of the oral shield along the handle of the dental overlay,which will allow the device to accommodate individual differences in theupper and lower jaw relationships of users. The user is able to adjustthe entire anti-snoring device comfortably without sophisticatedprocedures and professional help.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide anadjustability of the oral shield along the telescoping vertical sectionof the connecting member, which allows vertical height adjustmentrelative to the oral shield thereby allowing the oral shield toaccommodate individual differences beneath the user's nose and upper liprelationships. The user is able to adjust the entire anti-snoring devicecomfortably without sophisticated procedures and professional help.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an improvedanti-snoring device for controlling snoring during sleep. Theanti-snoring device includes a moldable dental overlay for covering thelower teeth of the user and for maintaining the tongue in contact withthe palate to prevent air flow from causing the palate to reverberateduring mouth breathing; an extension member fixedly connected to thefront of the dental overlay; a moldable oral shield worn outside themouth and being conformable to the user's upper lip for preventing thelower jaw from drifting inferiorly and posteriorly during sleep; and aconnecting member being slidably connected to the oral shield, andhaving an opening for slidable receiving the extension member. Theanti-snoring device may be made of thermoplastic or elastomeric resinmaterials for moldability to the user's mouth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent upon consideration of the detailed description of thepresently-preferred embodiments, when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention showing an anti-snoring device having an adjustableexternal oral shield, a connecting member with a set screw, and anintraoral dental overlay with an anterior handle attached thereto, andin an assembled configuration;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention showing an anti-snoring device having an adjustableexternal oral shield, a connecting member with a set screw, and anintraoral dental overlay with an anterior handle attached thereto, andin an assembled configuration;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the preferred embodiment ofthe present invention showing an anti-snoring device having anadjustable external oral shield, a connecting member with a set screw,and an intraoral dental overlay with an anterior handle attachedthereto, and in an unassembled configuration;

FIG. 4 is a rear, bottom perspective view of the present inventionshowing the intraoral dental overlay having an integrally attachedanterior handle for inserting into the handle opening of the connectingmember;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention showing theanti-snoring device inserted in the oral cavity of a user;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention showing theanti-snoring device in an operational mode and with the device insertedin the oral cavity having the user's tongue elevated to prevent snoringby a user, and showing the mandible advanced anteriorly by the device toprevent snoring by the user;

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of an alternate embodiment of thepresent invention showing an anti-snoring device having an adjustableexternal oral shield with a removable retaining strap, a retentionconnecting member having a plurality of saw-tooth retention teeth, andan intraoral dental overlay with an anterior handle attached thereto,and in an assembled configuration;

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the alternate embodiment of thepresent invention showing an anti-snoring device having an adjustableexternal oral shield with a removable retaining strap, a retentionconnecting member having a plurality of saw-tooth retention teeth, andan intraoral dental overlay with an anterior handle attached thereto,and in an assembled configuration;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the alternate embodiment ofthe present invention showing an anti-snoring device having anadjustable external oral shield with a removable retaining strap, aretention connection member having a plurality of saw-tooth retentionteeth, and a intraoral dental overlay with an anterior handle attachedthereto, and in an unassembled configuration; and

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the anti-snoring device of thealternate embodiment of the present invention taken along lines 10--10of FIG. 9 showing the oral shield with an interior metal strip, and theretention flange of the retention connecting member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The anti-snoring device 10 and its component parts of the preferredembodiment of the present invention are represented in detail by FIGS. 1through 6. The anti-snoring device 10 comprises an external, adjustableoral shield 30 being substantially elliptical and convex in shape; aconnecting member 50 being substantially L-shaped in configuration; andan intraoral lower dental overlay 100 having an integrally attachedanterior handle or extension member 130, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 of thedrawings.

Oral shield 30, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, includes an outer backinglayer 32 being a bendable metal or plastic, and an inner elastomericmaterial layer 40 being moldable and conformable to the upper lip 28uand subnasal tissue area of the user's mouth 26 after softening theelastomeric layer 40 in boiling water. The inner elastomeric materiallayer 40 is permanently attached to the outer backing layer 32. Outerbacking layer 32 includes an inner surface wall 34, an outer surfacewall 36 and perimeter edging 38. Inner elastomeric layer 40 includes aninner surface wall 42, an outer surface wall 44 and perimeter edges 46a,46b, 46c, and 46d. Outer backing layer 32 is centrally located withinthe inner elastomeric material layer 40, such that the inner surfacewall 34 of back layer 32 is permanently affixed to the outer surfacewall 44 of elastomeric layer 40, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 of thedrawings, thus forming a layered configuration for external oral shield30. This construction allows the oral shield 30 to be adapted to the lipcontours by bending and contouring the oral shield 30 with fingerpressure with or without immersion of the oral shield 30 in boilingwater for softening and moldability depending upon the types of layeredmaterials used in the oral shield 30 construction.

The outer backing layer 32 is made from bendable metals selected fromthe group consisting of aluminum, copper, stainless steel, steel, andequivalents thereof or is made from bendable plastic selected from thegroup consisting of LEXAN®, PLEXIGLASS, NYLONS, KEVLAR, TEFLON andequivalents thereof.

The inner elastomeric material layer 40 is made from moldable andconformable elastomeric and thermolabile plastic materials selected fromthe group consisting of Sorbothane®, urethane foams, silicones, ethylvinyl acetate, methyl vinyl acetate, methyl acrylate, other elasticcopolymer resins and equivalents thereof. These aforementionedelastomeric and thermolabile plastic materials are softened and moldablein hot or boiling water, and will return to a hardened and stable formupon cooling to room temperature.

There are various fabrication combinations for the dual layered,external oral shield 30 that can be used for the anti-snoring device 10.The preferred structure of the external oral shield 30 is a double layerconsisting of an outer metal backing strip layer 32 made of aluminumwhich is attached to the softer inner elastomeric material layer 40 madeof Sorbothane®. Other elastomeric materials such as urethane, urethanefoams, silicones, vinuls, copolymeter resins, are readily substitutedfor the Sorbothane® material for use with the metal backing strip layer32. Thus, the elastomeric material layer 40 provides a protective layerupon the skin from the metal backing layer 32, as the elastomericmaterial is soft, comfortable and conformable to the configuration andcontour of the metal strip layer 32. The resistance that the oral shield30 provides to backward displacement to the lower jaw 12 does not causeirritation and bruising of the lip tissues 28, such that the elastomericmaterial layer 40 prevents the metal backing layer 32 from pinching orcutting into the skin tissues. The elastomeric material layer 40 doesnot have sufficient rebounding and cushioning effect to alter the jawposture once the proper jaw posture has been established and theadjustable, external oral shield 30 has been fixed in its properposition.

Another fabrication combination of a dual layer structure for oralshield 30 includes an outer plastic backing strip layer 32 made of athin, semi-rigid polycarboxalate resin such as LEXAN®. LEXAN® has asoftening temperature of about 310° degrees F which will not readilydeform in boiling water. The plastic backing strip layer 32 is alsoattached to the elastomeric material layer 40 made of a thermolabilecopolymer resin, such as ethylene vinyl acetate. An example of anethylene vinyl acetate being commercially produced is ELVAX® by theDuPont Company. ELVAX® has a softening and molding temperature between125° degrees F to 175° degrees F which becomes very soft in boilingwater. The aforementioned plastic backing strip layer 32 of LEXAN®provides enough support to the aforementioned elastomeric material layer40 of ELVAX®, such that when the elastomeric material layer 40 issoftened in boiling water, the oral shield 30 can then be manipulatedand mechanically contoured with finger pressure by the user. Thus, afterthe oral shield 30 is immersed in boiling water the elastomeric materiallayer 40 is softened and briefly cooled, and the elastomeric materiallayer 40 is then pressed against the upper lip 28u so that it will makean imprint of the lip contours. The plastic backing strip layer 32 ofLEXAN® also gives rigidity and resistance to the oral shield 30, suchthat the oral shield 30 can resist deflection and distortion and resistthe forces placed upon the anti-snoring device 10 by the reposturedlower jaw 12 of the user.

Additionally, the oral shield 30 can have a double sided adhesive tape48 attached to the inner surface wall 42 of the elastomeric materiallayer 40 or an elastic retention or retaining strap 49 attached at strapends 49a and 49b to the perimeter edges 46c and 46d, respectively, ofthe elastomeric layer 40 by means of gluing or stitching as shown inFIG. 2. The oral shield 30 is held in place on the user's upper lip 28uby the adhesive tape 48 or is held in place on the user's head by theretention or retaining strap 49, thus preventing the expelling of theanti-snoring device from the user's mouth 26 by the patientinvoluntarily until he/she gets used to wearing the anti-snoring device10.

The connecting member 50 includes a horizontal section 52 beingintegrally attached at the rear wall 66 to a telescoping verticalsection 72, as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings. The horizontal section52 includes a top wall 54, a bottom wall 56, side walls 58 and 60, frontand rear walls 62 and 66 having an extension member opening 64 extendingtherebetween for slidably receiving the extension member 130 therein.Top wall 54 includes a centrally located threaded set screw opening 70for receiving a set screw 68 for holding the horizontal section 52 inplace relative to a precise location on the extension member 130. Whenscrew 68 is tightened it applies a frictional resistance against theelongated strip section 138 of the extension member 130 of the dentaloverlay 100 and thereby prevents the horizontal (yoke) section 52 andthe oral shield 30 from moving from its set position.

The telescoping vertical section 72 includes a lower vertical extensionmember 74 having a front wall 76, a rear wall 78 and side channels 80and 82 for slidably receiving an upper vertical extension member 84. Theupper vertical extension member 84 includes a front wall 86, a rear wall88, side walls 90 and 92, an upper end 94 and a lower end 96. The upperend 94 of front wall 86 of the upper vertical member 84 is permanentlyand centrally connected to the outer surface wall 36 of the metalbacking layer 32 of oral shield 30, as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings.The side walls 90 and 92 of the lower end 96 of the upper verticalmember 84 are slidably received within the side channels 80 and 82,respectively, of the lower vertical member 74 for adjustability of theexternal oral shield 30. The sidewalls 90 and 92 of the upper wallmember 84 stay in place by friction relative to the side channels 80 and82, respectively, of the lower vertical member 74. Once the verticalmember 74 can be positioned vertically it can be glued in place. Thetelescoping vertical section 72 of connecting member 50 allows forvertical height adjustment relative to the oral shield 30, therebyallowing the oral shield 30 to accommodate individual differencesbeneath the user's nose and upper lip 28u relationships. The user isable to adjust the entire anti-snoring device 10 comfortably withoutsophisticated procedures and professional help.

The extraoral shield 30 can be permanently fixed or stabilized upon thehorizontal or vertical extension member 54 and 84, as shown in FIGS. 7,8, 9, 10 by gluing, pop-riveting, stapling, crimping, screwing, orsnapping the shield on to the extension members 54 or 84.

Furthermore, another means of adjusting the horizontal or verticalposition of the extraoral shield 30 would be to utilize a jack screwcomponent or screw attachment to the shield 30 and the extension member84 so that the shield 30 is positioned appropriately upon the lip 28u.

The connecting member 50 and its component parts can be made of varioustypes of plastics including carboxylate copolymer resins, nylons or ABSplastics. For example, when the elastomeric material layer 40 of theoral shield 30 is made from an ethylene vinyl acetate, the horizonalsection 52 and the lower vertical extension member 74 and the uppervertical extension member 84 of connection member 50 are made from acarboxylate resin. This is done such that the upper vertical extensionmember 84 can be bonded to the outer surface wall 44 of elastomericmaterial layer 40 of the oral shield 30.

Thus, the oral shield 30 can be adjusted vertically, as well ashorizontally with respect to the upper lip tissue 28u because of theadjustability both laterally and vertically of the horizontal section 52and the telescoping vertical section 72, respectively, of connectingmember 50, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings.

The intraoral dental overlay 100 has a housing 102 which issubstantially U-shaped in cross section and has an integrally attachedanterior handle (extension member) 130 located at the bottom end ofU-shaped housing 102, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 of the drawings. Dentaloverlay 100 includes an outer surface wall 104, and an inner surfacewall 106 having an integrally attached outer perimeter wall 112 with anouter perimeter edge 114, and having an integrally attached innerperimeter wall 116 with inner upper and lower perimeter edges 118 and120. The inner surface wall 106 is molded into a plurality ofspaced-apart tooth-receiving areas 108 separated by occlusal ribs 110.The inner perimeter wall 116 and the inner upper perimeter edge 118 actas the lingual shelf portion 122 of the dental overlay 100. It is thelingual shelf portion 122 which acts as a support for the tongue 16against the palate 18 of the mouth 26 of the user, as shown in FIG. 6 ofthe drawings. The lingual shelf portion 122 helps to prevent the act ofsnoring.

The anterior handle or extension member 130 includes an elongated stripsection 138 formed of plastic having top and bottom wall surfaces 132and 134 and a U-shaped perimeter edge 136. The horizontal section 52 ofconnecting member 50 may be slidably adjusted on strip section 138 ofanterior handle 130, and is set in place by set screw 68, such that theoral shield is in a correction position for a comfortable placement bythe user, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings.

The dental overlay 100 is made from a flexible thermoplastic material(elastomeric resin) which is moldable after immersion in boiling water;such that the user may mold the dental overlay 100 to the shape of hisor her lower jaw 12, perioral area 26 and lip area 28. Such moldablematerials of construction may include ethyl vinyl acetate, methyl vinylacetate, methyl acrylate, or other elastic resins which are softened andmoldable in hot water and return to a hardened and stable form uponcooling to room temperature. The oral shield 30, the connecting member50, and the dental overlay 100 with anterior handle 130 may be formed byan injection molding process.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ALTERNATE EMBODIMENT

The anti-snoring device 200 and its component parts of the alternateembodiment of the present invention are represented in detail by FIGS. 7through 10 of the drawings. The anti-snoring device 10 comprises anexternal, adjustable oral shield 210 being substantially elliptical andconvex in shape; a retention connecting member 240 being substantiallyL-shaped in configuration; and an intraoral lower dental overlay 100'having an integrally attached anterior handle or extension member 130'as shown in FIG. 9.

Oral shield 210, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, includes an elastomericmaterial layer 212 having an outer surface wall 214, an inner surfacewall 216, and side perimeter edges 218a, 218b, 218c and 218d.Elastomeric material layer 212 further includes an interior metalreinforcement strip or wire 220 being adjacent to the upper perimeteredge 218a, as shown in FIG. 10 of the drawings. In addition, oral shield210 further includes two elliptical shaped breathing hole openings 222and 224 for mouth breathing 26; and an extension member opening 226 forslidably receiving anterior handle 130' of dental overlay 100'.Extension member opening 226 is centrally located within oral shield 210and breathing hole openings 222 and 224 are in-line and adjacent to eachside 236 and 238 of extension member opening 226. Outer surface wall 212includes a pair of strap retaining spherical tabs 228 and 230 beingin-line and adjacent to breathing hole openings 236 and 238,respectively. Additionally, oral shield 210 also includes a removableretaining strap 232 having circular tab openings 234a and 234b to bereceived on spherical tabs 228 and 230, respectively. Retaining strap232 is placed around the user's head, such that the anti-snoring device200 may not be expelled by the patient involuntarily until he/she getsuse to wearing the anti-snoring device 200. Retaining strap 232 iseasily removed from tabs 228 and 230, once the user no longer expels theanti-snoring device 200 from the user's mouth 26.

The retention connecting member 240 includes a retention cuff 242 and aretention flange 262 for slidably receiving and holding in placeextension member 130' and oral shield 210 in a predetermined positionwith respect to the user's mouth 26 and lip areas 28. Retention cuff 242is substantially rectangular in shape and includes front and rearsurface walls 244 and 246 having a retention opening 248 therebetween,top and bottom walls 250 and 252, and side walls 254 and 256. Retentionflange 262 is substantially L-shaped in configuration and includes ahorizontal member 264 integrally attached to a vertical member 284 atone end. Horizontal member 264 includes a top surface wall 266, a bottomsurface wall 268 having a plurality of saw-tooth retention teeth 270thereon and side surface walls 272, 274 and 276. Vertical member 284includes a front surface wall 286, a rear surface wall 288 and sidesurface walls 290, 292 and 294. Rear surface wall 288 of the verticalmember 284 is permanently connected to the outer surface wall 214 oforal shield 210, such that rear surface wall 288 is located above andadjacent to extension member opening 226 of oral shield 210, as shown inFIGS. 7 and 10 of the drawings.

Dental overlay 100' has an integrally attached anterior handle orextension member 130' which in the alternate embodiment 200 is exactlythe same as the dental overlay 100 having an integrally attachedanterior handle 130 of the preferred embodiment 10 except for apreformed plastic layer 140 having a plurality of saw-tooth retentionteeth 142 which interfit with the saw-tooth retention teeth 270 ofretention flange 262. The preformed plastic layer 140 having a pluralityof saw-tooth retention teeth 142 is permanently attached to the top ofsurface wall 132' of extension member 130', as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9 ofthe drawings. After the retention teeth 142 have been interfitted at apre-determined position with the retention teeth 270 of retention flange262, the retention opening 248 of retention cuff 242 receives thereinthe combined structure of the retention flange 262 and the anteriorhandle 130'. Then retention cuff 262 locks in place the retention flange262 to the anterior handle 130', as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 of thedrawings.

OPERATION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The anti-snoring device 10 of the present invention is designed andfabricated to be molded by the user without any assistance by aprofessional or a clinical laboratory. The initial step begins with theuser immersing the dental overlay 100 and oral shield 30 into acontainer of boiling water. The dental overlay 100 and oral shield 30are then moldable after immersion in boiling water, such that theaforementioned components 30 and 60 can be fitted by the user to give acomfortable and individualized fit. The molding act is performed by theuser, by simply inserting the dental overlay 100 into the mouth 26, andplacing the dental overlay 100 on the lower teeth 22 of lower jaw 12.The user then moves his/her lower and upper jaw 12 and 14, lips 28, andtongue 16 around; and bites with upper and lower teeth 22 and 24 intothe outer and inner surface walls 104 and 106 of the softenedelastomeric material which forms the dental overlay 100 to theindividualized shape of the user's lower jaw area 12.

The next molding step is then effected by immersing the oral shield 30in boiling water which allows this elastomeric component to becomesoftened. The oral shield 30 is then taken out of the hot water andallowed to cool slightly before the user presses the oral shield 30against his/or her upper lip 28u and perioral mouth tissues 26. The oralshield 30 is thus individualized to the user's upper lip 28u. The oralshield 30 via the connecting member 50 is then fitted onto the anteriorhandle 130 of the dental overlay 100 and slid along the handle strip 138via the extension member opening 64 until the oral shield 30 meets theuser's upper lip 28u. The anti-snoring device 10 is now ready for use toprevent snoring while sleeping.

When the user is ready to sleep the anti-snoring device is kept fullyassembled. The dental overlay 100 is then inserted into the user's mouth26 and placed on the lower teeth 22. The final act of adjustment occurswhen the user slides the oral shield 30 towards the upper lip 28u viathe connecting member 50 and at the same time the user postures themandible (lower jaw) 12 forward. In so doing the tongue 16 is alsopostured forward, as depicted in FIG. 6 of the drawings. This posturingact carries the tongue 16 forward and away from the posterior wall 17 ofthe pharynx 19 which enables unobstructed respiration. Furthermore, theoral shield 30 acts as a lip seal so that the user is more apt to breaththrough the nasal passages 20 instead of the mouth 26, as shown in FIGS.5 and 6. Once the anti-snoring device 10 is properly in place the usercan sleep comfortably without any interference from the device 10 whilesleeping. During sleep the dental overlay 100 supports the tongue andkeeps it in engagement with the palate 18 to reduce the reverberation ofthe palate which causes snoring.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Accordingly, the featured advantage of the present invention is that itprovides for an anti-snoring device having an external oral shield and adental overlay connected by an anterior handle to reduce or eliminatenocturnal snoring.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for ananti-snoring device that is easily self-adaptable and which eliminatesthe need for professional and laboratory assistance or clinicalfabrication.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for ananti-snoring device that is fabricated from a thermoplastic material(elastomeric resin) which is moldable in shape to the user's lower jawand perioral structure.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for ananti-snoring device which is moldable after immersion in boiling waterso that it can be adapted by the user to have a comfortable andindividualized fit.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for ananti-snoring device that has an adjustable external oral shieldstructure which reduces air turbulence within the user's mouth and thuspromotes nasal breathing to prevent the act of snoring.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for ananti-snoring device that has an adjustable external oral shieldstructure which acts as a lip seal, such that the user is more apt tobreath through the nose instead of the mouth to prevent the act ofsnoring.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for ananti-snoring device that has an adjustable external oral shield which isreduced in size so that the anti-snoring device is more comfortable,less bulky, more aesthetic looking and is more acceptable for use by apatient.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for ananti-snoring device that has an adjustable external oral shield whichonly contacts the tissue below the nose and the inferior border of theupper lip, such that reduced size adjustable external oral shield stillfunctions in preventing the lower jaw from moving inferiorly andposteriorly while the user is in the supine (sleeping) position.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide an anti-snoringdevice that it provides for an adjustable external oral shieldconsisting of two different copolymer resin layers that have dissimilarmelting points such that the softening and molding of the layered oralshield in boiling water does not distort the extension member andconnecting member nor impair the adjustability of the oral shieldrelative to the connecting member.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for ananti-snoring device that has an extension member, a connecting member,and a backing layer for the oral shield which will maintain their shapesand dimensions after submersion in boiling water and concurrently allowthe elastomeric layer of the oral shield to be softened and molded tothe user's external subnasal and lip tissue by manual manipulation ofthe oral shield without the immersion of the anti-snoring device intoboiling water.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for ananti-snoring device that has an adjustable external oral shieldconsisting of two layers, where the outer backing layer is made from abendable metal or plastic; and the inner surface layer is made from anelastomeric material or a thermolabile copolymer resin. Thisconstruction allows the oral shield to be adapted to the upper lipcontour of the user by bending and contouring with finger pressureinstead of softening of the oral shield by the water boiling method.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for ananti-snoring device that has an intra oral dental overlay structurewhich supports the tongue against the user's palate to keep the palatefrom reverberating during mouth breathing to prevent snoring by theuser.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for ananti-snoring device that includes an external oral shield in combinationwith an intraoral dental overlay connected by an anterior handle, suchthat the oral shield can be slidably adjusted on the handle by the userand which reduces the velocity of air flow through the mouth to reducethe reverberation of the palate to prevent the act of snoring.

A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides for ananti-snoring device which can be easily used, mass produced in anautomated and economical manner, and is readily affordable by the user.

A still further advantage of the present invention is that it providesfor adjustability of the oral shield along the handle of the dentaloverlay and allows the device to accommodate individual differences inthe upper and lower jaw relationships of users. The user is able toadjust the entire anti-snoring device comfortably without sophisticatedprocedures and professional help.

An even further advantage of the present invention is that it providesfor an adjustability of the oral shield along the telescoping verticalsection of the connecting member, which allows vertical heightadjustment relative to the oral shield thereby allowing the oral shieldto accommodate individual differences beneath the user's nose and upperlip relationships. The user is able to adjust the entire anti-snoringdevice comfortably without sophisticated procedures and professionalhelp.

A latitude of modification, change, and substitution is intended in theforegoing disclosure, and in some instances, some features of theinvention will be employed without a corresponding use of otherfeatures. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims beconstrued broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scopeof the invention herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. An anti-snoring device comprising:a) a moldabledental overlay for covering the lower teeth of the user and formaintaining the tongue in contact with the palate to prevent air flowfrom causing the palate to reverberate during mouth breathing; b) anextension member fixedly connected to the front of said dental overlay;c) a moldable oral shield worn outside the mouth and being conformableto the users upper lip for preventing the lower jaw from driftinginferiorly and posteriorly during sleep; and d) a connecting memberbeing adjustably connected to said oral shield and having an opening foradjustably receiving said extension member.
 2. An anti-snoring device inaccordance with claim 1, wherein said connecting member has an L-shapedconfiguration and includes a horizontal section for slidably receivingsaid extension member and a telescoping vertical section for beingslidably connected to said oral shield.
 3. An anti-snoring device inaccordance with claim 2, wherein said horizontal section of saidconnecting member includes attachment means for attaching to saidextension member.
 4. An anti-snoring device in accordance with claim 3,wherein said attachment means include an adjustable set screw, a jackscrew, a lock screw, a reciprocal screw, or a clamp.
 5. An anti-snoringdevice in accordance with claim 2, wherein said telescoping verticalsection includes a lower vertical member having vertical side channelsand an upper vertical member having an upper end and a lower end; saidlower end of said upper vertical member being slidably received withinsaid vertical side channels of said lower vertical member; and saidupper end of said upper vertical member being connected to said oralshield.
 6. An anti-snoring device in accordance with claim 1, whereinsaid dental overlay is made of moldable thermoplastic or elastomericresin materials.
 7. An anti-snoring device in accordance with claim 6,wherein said thermoplastic or elastomeric resin materials are selectedfrom the group consisting of ethyl vinyl acetate, methyl vinyl acetate,or methyl acrylate.
 8. An anti-snoring device in accordance with claim1, wherein said moldable oral shield is made of an outer bendable metallayer and an inner, moldable and conformable elastomeric layer.
 9. Ananti-snoring device in accordance with claim 8, wherein said outerbendable metal layer is made of aluminum, steel, or other metallicalloys.
 10. An anti-snoring device in accordance with claim 8, whereinsaid inner elastomeric material layer is made from urethane foams, vinyland silicones.
 11. An anti-snoring device in accordance with claim 1,wherein said moldable oral shield is made of an outer bendable plasticstrip layer and an inner, moldable and conformable elastomeric layer.12. An anti-snoring device in accordance with claim 11, wherein saidouter bendable plastic strip layer is made of a semi-rigidpolycarboxalate resin.
 13. An anti-snoring device in accordance withclaim 11, wherein said inner elastomeric material layer is made ofthermolabile ethylene vinyl acetate, copolymer resin.
 14. Ananti-snoring device in accordance with claim 13, wherein said ethylenevinyl acetate layer is 3 mm to 4 mm thick.
 15. An anti-snoring device inaccordance with claim 1, wherein said dental overlay has an inner wallthicker than an outer wall, and said inner wall has a greater depth thansaid outer wall, said inner wall forming a part of a lingual shelf forsupporting the tongue in contact with the palate.
 16. An anti-snoringdevice in accordance with claim 1, wherein said dental overlay has aplurality of teeth-receiving areas separated by adjacent occlusal ribs.17. An anti-snoring device in accordance with claim 1, wherein saiddental overlay covers all lower teeth.
 18. An anti-snoring device inaccordance with claim 1, wherein said extension member is a flexiblestrip of plastic.